I pulled on my slippers, knowing I would be leaving soon. “I’ve told you both a thousand times: I can’t use magic.”
Erik clicked his tongue again. “Nonsense! You’re pretending, but don’t worry, we will break you. I’m trying something new tonight.”
I wrapped a thick robe around my nightgown. It was cold where I was going. “Whatever you say, Erik.”
Sable moved to my red dress, hanging from the top of the bedpost, and inspected it. “Did you get anything on it?”
“No.”
She glanced back at me. “Are you sure? You’re not very graceful when you eat.”
“I didn’t eat.”
“Good.” Sable removed the dress and draped it over her arm.
“Let’s get this over with,” Erik snapped.
Sable’s long fingers caressed the satin material. “You go ahead. I’ll be there in a minute.”
Erik scowled but didn’t argue. “Don’t take long,” he said and walked out of the room with me in his shadow.
I knew exactly where we were going. I could’ve made the trip with my eyes closed. Our footsteps echoed as we made our way down a narrow, circular stairway to the very bottom level, hidden far below the mansion. The only way to get there was through a secret door in Erik’s office. The smell of alcohol drifted behind Erik, turning my stomach inside out. I quickly covered my mouth to stop from gagging. The smell was always a precursor to pain.
Erik removed a key from his pocket and pushed it into the keyhole of a thick metal door. The creaking and groaning of the hinges furthered my nausea. I remained where I was, my heart pounding.
“Get in here,” Erik said from within the room. I heard him open a drawer.
Knees weak and shaking, I stepped into my father’s “training” room. The smell of jasmine hit me, forcing me to stumble back into a wall. The plants hung everywhere; some draped from the ceiling while others had been arranged in specific patterns in the corners of the room. I had a sudden urge to smash them all, but my body wouldn’t move.
Long white counters lined the walls; inside their drawers held all the tools Erik thought necessary to force my compliance. On the surface of the counters, cages contained different animals, from spiders to rats—Erik kept them as pets and treated them each with great care. And finally, in the center of the room, rested a single, immoveable metal chair with black straps bolted to its underside.
After Erik had carefully inspected each cage for proper food and water, he said, “In the chair.”
My nails dug into the wall behind me. “Please, father—”
“Do it.”
By the time I reached the cold chair, my legs were shaking so badly that I had no choice but to collapse into it, sweat breaking on my brow. Stay calm.
Erik ran his fingers across the different animal cages on top of the counter. “I don’t understand why you make this so difficult. This would all end if you’d only accept your birthright.”
I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. “I told you. I’m not like you. I have no magical abilities.” I’d said this so many times I almost believed it.
“I’ve heard that before,” he muttered. He lifted a basket-like cage and peered in between the tight weave. I couldn’t see what was inside. “It is utterly impossible for a child born to the Segurs and Whitmores not to have powers. You are deliberately holding back.”
“Why would I do that?”
Erik’s head snapped up as if he’d been shocked. “Quit wasting my time!” His slicked-back hair left its place and fell to his forehead. “I am not a fool. You have power—I can feel it.”
“No I don’t,” I whispered, wishing desperately it was true. But even now, with fear about to crack through my feigned calm, I felt magic’s ancient power as strong as the overpowering smell of jasmine. Only my vow kept me from using it.
“Have I missed anything?” Sable’s voice asked behind me. She crossed the room to her usual place in the corner and sat on a stool surrounded by jasmine. She’d changed into a silky green, short-sleeved housecoat. Tucked beneath her arm was a watering can.
“We were just beginning,” Erik said, smoothing back his hair. He walked over to me and set the cage down before proceeding to fasten the straps around my chest and legs. In my ear, he whispered, “For your protection.”
Sable poured water into the nearby plants and touched their leaves tenderly. “I trust this won’t take long? I have a meeting in the morning.”
Erik glared. “It will take as long as it needs to.”
“Very well.” She sighed as she plucked off wilted leaves from a plant hanging above her. “Just make sure Eve is punished for her behavior tonight.”
Erik knelt in front of me and removed my slippers. “Don’t worry, darling. I was going to do that first.”
I tried not to let my mind wander with what new torture he may have devised. He lifted the cage and peered inside its tight slits again, the corner of his mouth rising. I shivered.